Lettering and designing device



Dec. 9, 1947. F ELUS A2,432,300

LETTERING AND DESIGNING DEVICE Filed Feb. 2, 1945 fla NVENTOR. Fred EI IIs Patented Dec. 9, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LETTERIN G AND DESIGNING DEVICE Fred Ellis, New York, N. Y.

y Application February 2, 1945, Serial'No. 575,753

1s claims. 1

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a lettering and designing device.

More particularly, the invention proposes a new and improved device as mentioned, characterized by a strip-like member which may be in the na ture of a ruler, T-square or other similar object intended to rest on a surface to be lettered. It is proposed that this strip-like member be provided with an elongated opening. A frame-like slide is slidably mounted to move along said opening through which said lettering may be done. It is proposed that the top face of said slide be provided with parallel grooves extending longitudinally and transversely of the strip-like member and associated with circular grooves which touch the parallel grooves at certain points. Studs are slidably mounted along said grooves and are movable from the parallel grooves to the circular grooves and back again, as desired. It is proposed that a straight edge be rested upon said slide and be provided with slots through which said studs extend by which the straight edge may be guided into Various positions by moving the studs along the parallel grooves, or along the curved grooves, as desired.

A simple arrangement is proposed for holding the frame-like slide in various fixed positions along said strip-like member. It is proposed to provide the strip-like member with thumb screws at its ends by which it may be mounted upon a cooperative object, such as a T-square, drawing board and the like.

The invention also proposes the provision of blanks having openings of different sizes and shapes, and which may easily be engaged on and removed from said frame-like slide.

The new and improved lettering and designing device is readily usable to assist in printing capital letters, small letters, Arabic and Roman numerals, punctuation marks, and various signs, symbols and designs. These vario-us markings may be made in connected or disconnected forms and may be oi different sizes, shapes and styles. The device has no set form, or design for the characters, and may be used for any purpose.

Another object of the invention is the construction of a device as mentioned which is simple and durable and which may be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a plan View of a lettering and designing device constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged detailed view of a portion of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged detailed perspective view of a portion of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged detailed sectional VieW taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a. perspective view of one of the blanks used in this invention.

Fig. 6 is a perspective View of another blank for use in this invention.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary enlarged detailed sectional view of one of the studs.

The lettering and designing device, in accordance with this invention, includes a strip-like member I for resting on a surface to be lettered, and having an elongated opening II. Scales I2 are imprinted along the sides of the strip-like member II). The ends of the member I0 are provided with thumb screws I 4 by ywhich the member may be mounted on a T-square, a drafting table or other object. The screws I4 are provided with washers Illa so that the entire ruler can be set into grooves similar to those on the slide IB on the plastic frame which may be set on the drawing board. This plastic frame corresponding to the slide, and the ruler strip acting as an arm revolving in the plastic frame grooves set on the drawing board. Its object is to replace the T-square, as the ruler may be adjusted to any angle or circle, using the marked off sides of the base opening in the plastic frame for measuring, The screws I4 need not be used, and may be removed, or partially removed and then the strip-like member I0 may rest upon a surface to be lettered and is usable in the nature of a ruler.

The frame-like slide IB is slidably mounted to move along said opening I I. It is possible to print or letter through this frame-like slide I6. On its top face the slide I5 is provided with opposed parallel grooves I8, and I9. These grooves are arranged in the nature of a square. They are longitudinal of and transversely of the longitudinal length of the strip-like member IU.

Circular grooves 20 are also arranged in the top face of the frame-like slide I6, and at points touch the parallel grooves I8 and I9. These circular grooves are in the nature of a circular outline within the square outline formed by the grooves I8 and I9.

Studs 2l are slidably mounted along the grooves I8, I9 and 2E. These studs 2| have central washer portions 23 which slidably engage in central enlarged portions 21| of said grooves.

The studs have shank portions 25 which threadedly engage through said washer portions 23. They are also provided with top heads 26 by Iwhich they may be conveniently moved. A bayonet groove 2l connects up with one point of the grooves i8 and 20 through which the studs 2| may be removed. The studs 2| may be moved along the various grooves and then into the bayonet slot 21. The bayonet slot 2`| has an enlarged end portion which when reached, will permit the washer portions 23 to be lifted upwards and out. In this way the studs 2| may be removed.

A straight edge 3l! is rested upon said framelike slide I6 and is provided with slots 3l and 32 through which the studs 2| pass for guiding the straight edge. By the insertion of the pencil point in slot 3| diagonal lines may be formed. The straight edge 39 is also provided with a plurality of small openings 33 through which the point of ones pencil, or pen may be engaged. Scales ."lfl are imprinted along the side edges of the straight edge 39. A handle or knob 3S is mounted on a central portion of the straight edge 3Q by which it may be conveniently moved. Scales 3l are also imprinted along the edge portions cf the frame-like slide, IS.

The frame-like slide |'6 is associated with means by which it may be held in various Xed positions along the length of the strip-like member l0. This means is in the nature of removable studs 39 mounted upon the edge portions of the frame-like slide I6 and engageable with certain ones of a line of small openings or niches i9 formed along the edge portions of the striplike member l. More specically, the edge portions of the opening I| of the strip-like member i9 are formed with projecting tongues 4| which engage complementary grooves 42 formed along the top and bottom sides of the frame-like slide I6 by which the slide is slidably mounted. The openings or niches 40 are formed along these tongues 4|.

The frame-like slide IS is also provided with a passage l5 extending from one side completely across to the other side. This passage 45 is adapted to receive blanks 46 and 41. These blanks liand 47 are formed with central openings 48 and :9 which are of different sizes and shapes. Within the passage 45 there is located one, or more leaf springs 59 which frictionally engage the faces of said blanks for holding them releasably in position. The openings 48 and 49 will be located within the central opening of the frame Iii and will control the opening through which lettering and drawing may be done.

The base Walls of the grooves i8, |9 and 20 are formed with corrugations or serrations 52 into which the bottom ends of the studs 2l may be engaged for assisting in holding the studs in xed positions. The heads 26 of the studs 2| may be screwed down for engaging the bottom ends with these corrugations, or serrations, or they may be screwed up for releasing the studs.

When using the new and improved lettering and designing device, it is merely necessary to move the frame-like slide l5 to the various positions desired, preferably as indicated by the scales l2 along the strip-like member I9. The straight edge 39 may be moved to various vert-ical, horizontal and diagonal positions merely by slipping the studs 2| along the grooves I8, I9 or 20 as desired. Lettering and drawing is done through the frame-like slide I6. The blanks 46, 4l, etc., may be selectively engaged into the passage 45 of the frame-like slide I6 for facilitating the drawing of characters and gures. The oblong blank 4l is provided with parallel side markings 5l] which correspond to the width of the oblong opening 49 and is used for marking small letters as well as oblong capital letters.

t is to be understood that along the scales i2, a series of apertures may be provided for drawing circles using screw |4 as the center.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as dened in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. A lettering and designing device, comprising a strip-like member for resting on a surface to be lettered and having an elongated opening, a frame-like slide slidably mounted to move along said opening through which lettering and designing may be done and on its top face having parallel grooves and a circular groove means within the parallel grooves touching the parallel grooves at points, studs slidably mounted along said grooves, and a straight edge rested on said slide and having slots through which said studs extending for guiding said straight edge.

2. A lettering and designing device, comprising a strip-like member for resting on a surface to be lettered and having an elongated opening, a frame-like slide slidably mounted to move along said opening through which lettering and designing may be done and on its top face having parallel grooves and a circular groove means within the parallel grooves touching the parallel grooves at points, studs slidably mounted along said grooves, a straight edge rested on said slide and having slots through which said studs extending for guiding said straight edge, and means for holding said frame-like slide in various positions along said strip-like member.

3. A lettering and designing device, comprising a strip-like member for resting on a surface to be lettered and having an elongated opening, a frame-like slide slidably mounted to move along said opening through which lettering and designing may be done and on its top face having parallel grooves and circular groove means within the parallel grooves touching the parallel grooves at points, studs slidably mounted along said grooves, and a straight edge rested on said slide and having slots through which said studs extending for guiding said straight edge, and means for holding said frame-like slide in various positions along said strip-like member, including thumb screws mounted upon the frame-like slide and engageable with openings along said striplike member.

4. A lettering and designing device, comprising a strip-like member for resting on a surface to be lettered and having an elongated opening, a frame-like slide slidably mounted to move along said opening through which lettering and designing may be done and on its top face having parallel grooves and circular groove means Within the parallel grooves touching the parallel grooves at points, studs slidably mounted along said grooves, a straight edge rested on said slide and having slots through which said studs extend for guiding said straight edge and connecting means, and thumb screws upon the ends of said striplike member by which it may be mounted on a T-square, drawing board, or other object, said frame-like slide being in the form of a plastic frame, having square and parallel grooves limiting and guiding the movement of said straight edge through said connecting means, said frame Vto be set on a drawing board so that the striplike member can be adjusted to any angle and thus may replace said T-square.

5. A lettering and designing device, comprising a strip-like member for resting on a surface to be lettered and having an elongated opening, a frame-like slide slidably mounted to move along said opening through which lettering and designing may be done and on its top face having parallel grooves and circular groove means within the parallel grooves touching the parallel grooves at points, studs slidably mounted along said grooves, and a straight edge rested on said slide and having slots through which said studs extending for guiding said straight edge, said studs comprising washer-like portions and shank portions threadedly engaged through said washer-like portions.

d. A lettering and designing device, comprising a strip-like member for resting on a surface to be lettered and having an elongated opening,

- a frame-like slide slidably mounted to move along said opening through which lettering and designing may be done and on its top face having parallel grooves and circular groove means within the parallel grooves touching the parallel grooves at i points, studs slidably mounted along said grooves,

and a straight edge rested on said slide and having slots through which said studs extending for guiding said straight edge, said studs comprising washer-like portions and shank portions threadedly engaged through said washer-like portions, said grooves having enlarged central portions for accommodating said Washer-like portions,

*7. A lettering and designing device, comprising a strip-like member for resting on a surface to be lettered and having an elongated opening, a frame-like slide slidably mounted to move alo-ng said opening through which lettering and designing may be done and on its top race having parallel grooves and circular groove means within the parallel grooves touching the parallel grooves at points, studs slidably mounted along said grooves, and a straight edge rested on said slide and having slots through which said studs extend for guiding said straight edge, said studs comprising washer-like portions and shank portions threadedly engaged through said washerlike portions, said grooves having enlarged central portions for accommodating said washer-like portions, and a bayonet slot connected with some of said grooves by which said studs may be removed.

8. A lettering and designing device, comprising a strip-like member for resting on a surface to be lettered and having an elongated opening, a frame-like slide slidably mounted to move along said opening through which lettering and designing may be done and on its top face-having parallel grooves and circular groove means within the parallel grooves touching the parallel grooves at points, studs slidably mounted along said grooves, and a straight edge rested on said slide and having slots through which said studs extend for guiding said straight edge, said striplike member being provided with scales along its edges.

9. A lettering and designing device, comprising a strip-like member for resting on a surface to be lettered and having an elongated opening, a frame-like slide slidably mounted to move along said opening through which lettering and designing may be done and on its top face having par- -allel grooves and circular groove means within the parallel grooves touching the parallel grooves at points, studs slidably mounted along said grooves, and a straight edge rested on said slide and having slots through which said studs eX- tend for guiding said straight edge, said framelike member being provided' with scales.

10. A lettering and designing device, comprising a strip-like member for resting on a surface to be lettered and having an elongated opening, a frame-like slide slidably mounted to move along said opening through which lettering and designing may be done and on its top face having parallel grooves and circular groove means within the parallel grooves touching the parallel grooves at points, studs slidably mounted along said grooves, and a straight edge rested on said slide and having slots through which said studs extend for guiding said straight edge, said straight edge being provided with scales and openings for a pencil or pen, and a long slot to permit drawing of diagonal lines.

l1. A lettering and designing device, comprising a strip-like member for resting on a surface to be lettered and having an elongated opening, a frame-like slide slidably mounted to move along said opening through which lettering and designing may be done and on its top face having parallel grooves and circular groove means within the parallel grooves touching the parallel grooves at points, studs slidably mounted along said grooves, a straight edge rested on said slide and having slots through which said studs eX- tend for guiding said straight edge, blanks having openings of different sizes and shapes, and means for mounting said blanks in said frame-like slide.

12. A lettering and designing device, comprising a strip-like member for resting on a suriace to be lettered and having an elongated opening, a frame-like slide slidably mounted to move along said opening through which lettering and designing may be done and on its top face having parallel grooves and circular groove means composed of a plurality of arcuate slots within the parallel grooves touching the parallel grooves at points, studs slidably mounted along said grooves, a straight edge rested on said slide and having slots through which said studs extend for guiding said straight edge, blanks having openings of different sizes and shapes, and means for mounting said blanks in said frame-like slide, including a passage through the frame-like slide for receiving the blanks.

13. A lettering and designing device, comprising a strip-like member for resting on a surface to be lettered and having an elongated opening, a frame-like slide slidably mounted to move along said opening through which lettering and designing may be done and on its top face having parallel grooves and circular groove means composed of a plurality of arcuate slots within the parallel grooves touching the parallel grooves at points, studs slidably mounted along said grooves, a straight edge rested on said slide and having slots through which said studs extend for guiding said straight edge, blanks having openings of different sizes and shapes, and means for mounting said blanks in said frame-like slide, including a passage through the frame-like slide for receiv- Y 7 ing the blanks, and a leaf spring within said passage for engaging and holding the blanks.

8 UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Wetterstrand Sept. 1, 1931 Scheller May 30, 1944 Byrne Dec. 3, 1895 Nosan Mar. 6, 1923 Perkins Nov. 27, 1906 

